Most companies rely on aging software built before the emergence of the Internet: "legacy" systems that embody core business knowledge which is difficult to enhance and impossible to replicate. This book brings together breakthrough strategies and objective guidance for leveraging those legacy systems as you build the flexible, high-value, component-based architectures you need to stay competitive. Leading IT architecture consultant William Ulrich reviews the role of legacy systems and the challenges they now present. He identifies several key "myths" associated with legacy technology, showing how these myths prevent companies from maximizing the value of IT. Next, using specific examples, he outlines cost-effective migration paths from legacy systems to component-based architectures based on J2EE, .NET, and/or Web Services. For all IT professionals and business managers concerned with maximizing the business value of technology, including analysts, architecture and planning teams, project managers, IT directors, CIOs, and CFOs.